In Canada, truckers have had a difficult time getting any diesel, especially in Western areas of the country. Now they have diesel, but there’s no guarantee that it will last.

When refineries can shut down for maintenance, and how much notice they have to give regarding that shut down, is at the heart of the problem. There were three main refineries in Alberta that shut down over a month ago, which meant a serious shortage. There was diesel to be had, but truckers had to go out of their way to get it, and it resulted in serious difficulties.

It wasn’t just the lack of fuel, either, but late shipments and late fees that were levied by the truckers’ clients. There will be a meeting about the issue in December, and truckers hope that some resolution can be agreed upon so that this kind of problem won’t happen again. Especially with the struggling economy, they cannot afford late fees and extra miles on their trucks.